Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-10-26
EVENLY MATCHED.
One Of the Queer Things That Hap
pened in War Times.

The right wing of Sherman's army was
only few miles from Blue Rock, mount
ain village in North Georgia,
The simple villagers felt little alarm
Blue Rock was point of no strategic i'm.
portance to either the Federals or the Con
federates.
One fine morning in the early spring
John Dickson started out from the little
hamlet to visit his farm, only q mile OF
two distant, Dickson was q young man
but chronic lameness had secured his ex
emption from military service, and as he
had wife and two children entirely de.
pendent upon him, he regarded his disa.
biiity blessing.
Still, he was a strong Confederate, and
on this particular morning, while he was
limping slowly along the rough country
road, he paused more than once to listen
with frowning face to the sullen boon
of Sherman's guns, several miles away.
~ am not able to do much fighting,n he
muttered; "but if they come to Blue Rock
and cut up any of their deviltry pll kill
some of them if have to die for iti"
He meant what he said. This quiet
young farmer had plenty Of grit when hs
was put TO the test.
The walk tired him, and he left the road
and stretched himself in q grassy place
under the shade of sturdy old oak.
He threw himself on his back and
closed his eyes for a moment. Then he
looked up into the green foliage above
him,
queer expression fitted over his face.
but his gaze remained fixed upon one
point.
In careless way he raised his hand &c
his face, and stroked his mustache. Then
fkaah hora
toying with each button. At last It slipped
downward to hip pocket, and reap
peared as quick as a fash Of lightning.
this time with pistol aimed upward.
"Now, you come down." said Dickson
gruffly.
"Ha! ha" laughed some one up In the
tree. You have found me, have youYn
The laugh surprised and irritated Dick
son. His keen eyes had discovered a fel.
low in blue uniform sitting on one of the
topmost limbs of the tree. It had flashed
into his head that it would be an easv
matter TO capture him, and march him in.
to Blue Rock. And now the rascal was
laughing at him!
Hou1l grin on the wrong side of your
mouth pretty seon," said Dickson. SI mean
business Don't you know that you are
my prisonerS"
well, no." was the cool reply. 81 hadn'i
Thought of il in that light. In fact, was
under the impression that you were nv
prisoner, and was wondering how to dis
pose of YOU"
"Confound you!" roared the young
farmer. "If you don't come down at once,
III shoot."
"See here, my friend,n answered the
soldier, you don't understand the stu
alton.
80, don't =" snorted Dickson.
'No, where are your eyes? Take good
look, but don't move.D
Tins appealed to, Dickson allowed his
syes TO run over the soldiers entire figure
BE gave a start OF surprise. The Federal
hsiIia ai5 = "a h2li revolver aimed al
the man o. tie aF0und.
II have la1 yod covered evar sincs You
caGfs hess" said tine man in the tree.
and what do You think of doip g?"
ask D cEsSn in tantalizing way.
~ al goiag to saoot if you try to get
up q 4 yoI cock your pistol" was the
response; but l expect to persuade yol to
drop JoIr wsapon and go OF to the top OF
that tnill yonder.r
"fou ara a fooi!p shouted Dickson.
Don't yol know that some body from
town come along soon and help me
capture you.,
sand dou't you know replied the
other, 'that some of our cavalry are com.
ing this way, and may be here any no-
Dickson studied the face above him. Il